Lake Riley Heron Takes Flight

(6/22/14)

Just realized I had a few pictures of the increasingly elusive Lake Riley Heron (LRH) from June in my camera. Unlike summers past (I've been tracking the heron(s) that hang out at Lake Riley in Cobbs Hill Park for many moons), as this summer has progressed the sightings have decreased. When I've noted this observation around the dinner table, both my son and stepson have been quick to remind me that there are "always herons on the canal path." Friends and co-workers have also kept me updated regarding the appearances of similar birds in their suburban backyards. In many ways, it would seem that herons have become as ubiquitous in some communities as the American Robin or Crow.

(6/22/14)

After seven years or so of walking up to the park in the early morning 2013, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2006), I am still excited when I do spot the LRH despite their seemingly becoming more ubiquitous. Whether due to my personal connection with the location at which I observe the heron (I practiced and competed there during high school cross-country and now live less than a mile away) or simply it's previously exotic appearance, I still get a charge when catching one by the water as I exit the nearby expressway ramp remains.

(6/22/14)

Delicately, gawky while standing in the shallow bank of the "lake," in flight, the LRH is long and elegant. This year, more than in years past, I've made an effort to linger longer, waiting until s/he takes flight for his/her nest beyond the lake. Each time I've seen the LRH fly for points unknown, the direction has been different. One day it headed for the roof of the nearby refurbished armory. The next time the LRH flew due north into the populated city.

(6/22/14)

(6/22/14)

(6/22/14)

My summer break is quickly drawing to a close. In an effort to wrap-up my summer observations, I'll be dropping by the park before making my way to work. I'm hopeful that I can catch the Lake Riley Heron for one more shot before the season ends.

Heron Today, Heron Tomorrow?

(6/12/14)

For four years now, I've begun each summer in much the same way: finding the new heron that has set up residency at Riley Lake in Cobbs Hill Park. The park is in my neighborhood, and has been a part of my life for going on thirty years now (it is where my high school cross-country team trained and ran meets). This summer has begun no differently. While turning onto the expressway on ramp which runs by that section of the park yesterday, I caught a glimpse of the smallish bird yesterday afternoon. This morning before work, on a lark, I stopped by as I passed through. And there he was.

(6/12/14)

It took me more than a few minutes to pickup the rough outline of his figure to the far left of the "lake." It was just before 6 a.m., and cloudy to boot, so it took a few moments for my eyes to adjust. A very light drizzle had just begun as I exited the car in an attempt to snap a few pictures. I didn't want to use the auto-flash on my camera, for fear I'd startle him, and as result the photos were grainier than I would have liked.

(6/12/14)

Shortly after moving in for some closer shots, the heron took flight. Rather than making his way deeper into the park, the heron headed over the expressway and north-east further into the city. I waited briefly to see if it would emerged from the darkening clouds, perhaps in an arcing loop back into Cobbs Hill, but he did not. Fortunately, I've got a few months now during which to check on his progress (and growth). In year's past, a heron (I like to think it is the same one that only grows larger and "fluffier" as the summer progresses) has stayed in the area around Lake Riley through September.

Counting Summers By Heron

Often difficult to spot, I see this fellow as he moves past a grey light post (6/22/13).

Waking up early this morning, I get it in my head to go for a walk. Stuffing my camera into a string backpack, I set out for the short half mile walk to Cobbs Hill hoping to catch a glimpse of the small(-ish) heron I saw while entering the nearby on-ramp a few weeks earlier. My summer break from teaching is so close I can taste it and my hobbies during the summer are odd.

As has been a summer practice the past few years (2011, 2010, 2009, 2006), I begin the process of counting my summer by heron.

I approach too closely so he sets off for the other side of the "lake." (6/22/13)

Activity in the nearby parking lot distracts him from me. (6/22/13)

I wish the "s" shaped contours of his neck had been crisper--maybe next time. (6/22/13)

... and he's off again. (6/22/13)

Profiling in My Hood

Lake Riley, Cobbs Hill Park, Rochester , NY (7/9/12).

Over the past few days I have come across some old "friends" hanging out in my neighborhood. I have spent the past few summers profiling (on a very small scale) their behaviors and presence as they arrive, roost and depart from my local city neighborhood.

The above image depicts the most recent incarnation of what I annually refer to as the Lake Riley Heron. Though it is not particularly not unusual to observe blue herons in our part of New York state, they are more frequently cited in more secluded, or rural areas, such as along either the Erie Canal or Genessee River or even in some suburban backyards.

I have been intrigued by the fact that each year a single blue heron roosts somewhere in the general vicinity of the small man made lake directly off the expressway near the heart of our rather large metropolitan area. I've discerned that each year it is a new one given the bird's size (which changes) and plumage. Clearly in these images from he past few years, I can look forward to tracking and profiling (if I'm quick enough with a camera) the growth of this particular blue heron, too.

October 21, 2011
August 31, 2011
August 14, 2010

Fortunately, I've also observed over the past few years, that as the summer progresses, s/he usually becomes more comfortable around people. The photo above was taken from my car after I noticed the bird at the lake as I was exiting the expressway on my way home. Often times when I walk to the park with the intention of seeing the Lake Riley Heron, I'll return home without having had a glimpse--more frequently, it's entering onto the on ramp for the expressway that I'll note it's obvious presence at the lake. When I left my car to get a closer vantage point it flew off into the vegetation at the far end of the lake.

It's once again time to leave my camera in the car just in case I (time permitting) have to pull over quickly to snap a quick pic!

Catching Up with the Lake Riley Heron

The Lake Riley Heron surveying his abode (10/16/11).

Last Saturday before going to get coffee, I walked up to Cobbs Hill to stretch my legs and came across the Lake Riley Heron basking in the shard of sunlight on a 4'x4' concrete pad about seven feet from shore. I had not seem him in quite a while, despite seeing herons in many other areas in the greater Rochester area (water retention ponds beside the expressway, along the banks of the Genesee River and so on), he had been absent from the park in recent weeks... at least as best I could determine.

I suppose this could be the same bird I photographed in mid-summer, an idea which is only anecdotal supported by my belief that this bird is longer, more full-bodied and, well, just "older" looking than the younger model seen at Cobbs Hill in July. In a weird sort of anthropomorphism, I suppose this bird is like a neighborhood kids senior citizens are vaguely aware of growing up and out of their parents house over the course of a lifetime. Only the heron's lifetime is much shorter and I am glad to see him (them?0 not moving out, just yet.

A New Lake Riley Heron Rises!

He's ba-a-a-a-ck--well, at any rate there is a new heron in town!
It has been a few months since I last observed any "heron activity," at the small man-made lake at Cobbs Hill, but when, this afternoon while entering the on ramp to the expressway going East, I noticed some distinctive movement in the cattails, I thought he (she?) may have returned. After returning home a half hour later, I grabbed my camera and headed back to the park, hoping that the heron had not left--and if not for some good fortune and lucky spotting I may have headed home empty handed and with the impression that I was just imaging things.

As is apparent by the image below, the new hero was attempting to avoid detection, and did so in interesting fashion, by blending in with the reeds. His long neck (especially when looking skyward) easily blended into the background.

Can you see me now?
Once he steps from the reeds and into the water (and I walk from my car for a closer look) the heron comes into view. This one is a younger bird than the one I saw earlier this summer, as evidenced by his slender build and darker coloring. A Canadian goose was kind enough to step into a photo to offer some scale.

Oh, there you are!
I ended up spending about 20 minutes at the park and snapping quite a few pictures, many of which (as usual) were not that compelling. I was, however, happy to capture the heron lolling about the "lake" occasionally interacting ignoring the other residents before flying to the other end of the pond.

Howdy, Heron!

Though barely visible from the parking lot, I was able to quietly move in for some closer shots.
This morning as my wife and I were driving to Barnes and Noble to do some summer reading shopping, she noticed a blue heron on the bank of Lake Riley, the small man-made lake in Cobbs Hill Park, visible from the eastbound lanes of the 490 Expressway. When my wife made this observation I regretted not having brought my camera along, so upon our return from the store I made my way to Cobbs Hill, camera in hand, and snapped some pictures.

As I made my way closer, I noticed it was holding a fish in its beak.
I have been anxiously awaiting the heron's return, which was more of a "repopulation" than a "return"... this was a smaller, younger bird than the one I followed last summer.

Given all of the activity going on around the lake (three softball field, a couple of picnics, and some people walking dogs. I felt fortunate to get as close as I did.

Too late for great pictures but time for one mediocre one taken in the proper spirit.
I had hoped to capture some clearer pictures of it in flight, but was unable to change camera settings quickly enough before he took off for the other side of the lake. I'm hopeful that there will be more opportunities this summer to engage in games of "follow me and I'll fly to the other side."

Checking in with the Lake Riley Heron

The Lake Riley Heron's empire as it appears from the bank.
Note him, surveying the area from atop the small bouy in the center
of the lake (and photo).
For the second consecutive week, I stopped by Lake Riley at nearby Cobbs Hill Park on my way home from getting coffee to see if the Heron was home. It was a little later in the morning this weekend and there was already a fair degree of activity in the park, with the baseball diamond adjacent to the "lake" beginning to fill with teenagers for what appeared to be a summer league game. This did not seem to bother the Lake Riley Heron, who by this time is likely used to all the hubbub that comes with hanging around a popular tanning-playing-hanging body of artificial water.

Eventually the sun breaks through the momentarily overcast
skies to reveal our subject in a bright light.
Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

A Lake Riley Heron Returns!

He's ba-a-a-ack!
After an absence of nearly a year , my last post regarding the original Lake Riley Heron was posted in July 2009!), a THE NEW Lake Riley Heron made a triumphant return this morning. At around 5:15 a.m. when I ran by the darkened lake I thought I saw something, but was unsure until returning nearly 90 minutes later with my camera and spotted him at the center of the lake.

There had been an observed absence of ANY herons from the lake's waters for quite a while as a result (I think) of a spring fish kill which left the bird's food supply (uh... fish) dead. Following what I can only assume was a re-stocking of the small artificial "lake" it would appear there are enough to warrant at the very least a spot for the lake on the heron's travel itinerary.


When I first returned to the parking lot, the heron had found a perch
at the center fo the lake.
Patience is rewarded as, after waiting 10 minutes, the heron sets off
for the near (to the parking lot, and therefore, my location) bank.
The heron, up close an personal--with "friends" who unwittingly
provide some scale for his (her?) size.
Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!